Rui Santos is a multifaced man and defines himself as a manager and an educator. He is the Executive Director of Aporvela which is a national sailing training organization organizing The Tall Ships races in Portugal. For the latter, Rui Santos offices as an event manager.
Rui has not always worked in the maritime field. Indeed, after a MBA in history, Rui worked in production before moving into the maritime field as a consultant for sea affairs. He chose this environment for the cultural and historical aspects of the sea, which naturally appealed to him. Nowadays, he is fulfilling his career with Aporvela, where he started as a volunteer.
According to Rui, women are gaining some importance in non-seagoing matters, these past few years. However, he acknowledges that more women are choosing a path on board ships which should be emphasised and encouraged.
To women who might be reluctant to work in maritime affairs, he wishes to say that «maritime affairs will be a key issue in the next decades and that all help is needed. As such, every example of successful careers of women in these affairs can boost gender equality».
